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Abstract

SUMMARY

From 1973 to 1985 archaeological excavations were carried out at the Library Site in the old centre of Trondheim. At this site was found a large number of wooden constructions, normally a very fragile material.

The present project covers a total of 569 decorated wooden objects, most of them utensils from everyday life in the old kaupang, such as pieces of furniture, tools, toys and various objects for cooking and textile work. Most of the objects are decorated with simple, incised

motives and are of a rather low quality. In most of the object categories, however, there are also objects with skilfully carved decorations of high quality. The motifs vary, from simple

geometric decoration such as zigzag lines, circles and crosses, to ornaments carved with artistic skill and high stylistic consciousness.

From within a period of hundred years (1050-1150) the excavations uncovered a large number of spoons with high quality decorations. They may have been produced for the exchange of gifts. This was an old, firmly established and wide-spread tradition in medieval times with the purpose of supporting and maintaining friendship and connections and to establish and mark new contacts and alliances.

The decorated wooden objects of highest quality, such as the incised high quality spoons, some pieces of furniture and a drinking bowl, all made in skilled relief technique, are possibly carved by professionals working for a patron or possibly for the church.

In the period 1050-1150 great changes took place in the Norwegian area with respect to religion and government of the country. A Norwegian kingdom was being established, and the building of the Nidaros cathedral was going on. From the year 1152, Nidaros was the site of the new archbishopric of Norway.

The great number of signs and motives with obvious apotropaeic meaning tell a story of a transition period with great changes and confrontations between old and new thinking, and the need for common people to protect themselves from danger and evil, with their hearts divided between the old faith and cult and the newly established Christianity.

The project describes and analyses the different techniques of decoration and motifs, classifies and analyses selected decorated pieces as to different stylistic groups, - Ringerike, Urnes, Roman and Gothic (the last one represented with just one piece).

The decorated material is important, in spite of its simplicity, because most of the profane material from this period has been lost and up till now few pieces of wooden archaeological material have been brought to light elsewhere. The decorated objects from the Library Site tell the story about a population taking great interest in motives and artistic styles. They also show how rapidly style changes have taken place in a vast geographical area.